Monthly Archives: July 2016

New Zealand Antarctic Society

Oral History Program

Jacqui Foley

Tuesday 26th July, 6pm

Lecture theatre A4

You are invited to an interesting talk on the current Oral History Project of the Antarctic Society. Beginning in 1997, Jacqui Foley has interviewed most of the 48 members of different Antarctic expeditions, and their wives. The project gives a valuable insight into work and life in the Antarctic since the 1950s and the support these members received from their families.

Jacqui Foley is a freelance oral historian for more than 20 years. She works also for museums and trusts and is involved in several other history projects. Jacqui has received a number of Oral History awards. She lives in Tokarahi, North Otago.

Last Tuesday, 5 July, I have been invited to give a talk at the Probus Club Fendalton, Christchurch, on my time as tutor in the Antarctic. It was a lovely atmosphere between the women. Approx. 60 women were present and they very really interested in my presentation. I presented some slides and had everyday items we use in the Antarctic to show them. Lots of good questions were asked. Many women came to me afterwards and told me that they were astonished how much Christchurch is involved in the Antarctic business and that they have not known before about that. It seems that from now on, more people will know about this connection.

My next talk is at 8 August. The Rotary Club in Halswell invited me for a similar talk.

The link between UC and Antarctica lays in the fact that Robert Falcon Scott’s cousin was the writer of these 127 years old historic lecture notes. Robert Julian Scott also helped to found the department of engineering at UC in the 1880s. There is an interesting story behind the notes and how they found their way back to the University of Canterbury.

Image below taken from the article to illustrate the beauty of these notebooks. As lecturer of ANTA 101 and 102 courses it would be a delight to see lecture notes like these today. 🙂